An opium pipe is a pipe designed for the evaporation and inhalation of opium. True opium pipes allow for the drug to be vaporized while being heated over a special oil lamp known as an opium lamp. It is thought that this manner of "smoking" opium began in the seventeenth century when a special pipe was developed that vaporized opium instead of burning it.Due to opium eradication campaigns in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, genuine opium pipes are now extremely rare.This carved soapstone opium pipe features a dragon head supportingh a writyhing dragon bowl, an old man carved into . the mouthpiece, and calligraphy inscribed on both sides. A seal is carved into the bottom of the pipe. 17 inches long